It was a sad morning... packing, taking a last look at the beautiful view from this wonderful little cottage on the beach.... but pack we did and reluctantly climbed into the car for the dreaded trip to the airport... we really didn't want to leave.

On the way we stopped at the local Saturday market where vendors have their goods displayed along the sidewalks of the little town. I picked up a wonderful painted coconut (looks like a fish & I've named her Rachel in honor of the character in the book I am reading about Molokai) and off we went to the airport.

A tearful goodbye was said as we boarded our little 12 seat aircraft for our flight back to Honolulu where we had 3hrs to wait for our flight back to the mainland/Portland.

We checked our luggage and got into the security line and it was then I realized I had had 5 items in my carry-on that were each over the 3oz limit (what the heck was I thinking ?)…. So we had to quickly get out of line and find someone that could tell us if there was somewhere we could ship a package home since our luggage was already checked. “You’re in luck,” the Hawaiian Airlines Customer Service Representative said… “The U.S. Post Office is just across the street – within walking distance”. So we dashed over to the P.O. and stood in line with it looked like a lot of people in our same predicament. We picked a ‘if it fits it ships for $11.95 box, put our Macadamia Nut infused cooking oils and our Macadamia Nut Honey Mustard and a few miscellaneous items into the box, taped it up and were told it would arrive by Wednesday. Then back to the terminal and security we went.

We arrived into Portland about 11:30pm and home be 12:30pm… tired from a long day but with great memories to keep a smile on our faces.

We had such a good time this week with our friends Joanne and Earl. They took us to places they'd been before and we discovered new places together. We ate great food, consumed an alcoholic beverage or two …Mai Tai, Bloody Mary, Mimosa, Long Board Beer, wine, we swam & snorkeled, we played Chicken Foot (dominos game) and we just plain relaxed… Molokai style.

We met some incredible people both locals and visitors like us. Joanne met a woman who holds the only PhD in Huna (means ‘secret’ in Hawaiian) in the world. She did a dissertation based on the shamanic meanings of the hula dance of Hawaii and has studied the ancient meanings of the Polynesian language. She is the only teach of Huna whose work is recognized academically. She has written two books – The Sacred Power of Huna: Spirituality and Shamanism in Hawaii and Traveling Magically: How to turn your journey into a life-changing experience.

Lots of laughs were shared through the course of the week. Joanne and I shared more than a few tears too [we laughed 'til we cried - some were melancholy tears remembering back over the last 45 years we’ve shared and others were over our most recent experiences with her wonderful involvement in fawn rescue in her local area and the release of several of her little ones she nurtured, enabling them to be released back into the wild where they belong.

Although the trip has come to an end… the many, many memories will linger for years to come, each brining a reflective smile to our faces.

We started our day with biscuits and gravy and bloody marys (great batch of both if I do say so myself :-). We then had a leisurely morning... each of us doing our own thing... Joanne finished her mid-term and submitted it, Tony and Earl were into their computers and I went down to the picnic table below the house and read.

About noon we headed out for another new beach discovery. We first stopped at a tiny general store off the beaten track and I picked up some Lilikoi Butter.... a heavenly passion fruit flavored butter that will be wonderful on toast. We then stopped by the Specialty Coffee house and they had a wonderful little gift shop next door. I bought a great Molokai post card ready for framing and a wooden tropical fish mobile to hand in my office as a reminder of a great time :-)

We finally headed out to find Mo’omomi Bay. Lots of off road today… we were on a lot of roads that came to dead ends but we also found some beautiful ocean views… only one sandy beach but no real water access because of all the rock but some spectacular ocean activity.

We ended the day at the Kualapu’u Cookhouse for prime rib, crab stuffed shrimp wrapped in bacon and sweet chili sauce and spicy ahi. We were serenaded by a couple of local boys – Hawaiian tunes and blasts from the past. Dessert was a chocolate macadamia nut pie… yummy !

We’re back home now, doors wide open, sound of the ocean lulling us into a relaxed state of mind.

Today we kind of did our own thing... Tony and I headed to Kaunakakai (the little town about 18 miles from the cottage) to just wander. We dropped Joanne and Earl at the local market about 2 miles away and they walked back to the cottage. Along the way to town we stopped to take a photo of the Rooster Farm (although cock fighting is illegal, this particular property has at least 20 roosters and I doubt they are being raised to keep the chickens company !). As soon as we slowed down approaching the property at least 10 vicious dogs began barking their heads off warning us to hit the road - one was a 3-legged female that must have just had a litter based on her under carriage.

In town which is 1 street and only about 12 stores is comprised of 2 grocery stores, a post office, a dive shop, book store, pet store and a few general stores with touristy things but not a lot and an art center which is a co-op of artists. In the bookstore we chatted with locals. Computers came up and I mentioned that Tony worked for Intel. A couple at the counter said their daughter-in-law works for Intel in Oregon in HR and Tony told them he worked for Intel in Oregon (small world, isn't it !) He doesn't know their daughter-in-law but will probably touch base with her when he gets back - with a message from her in-laws..."when are you coming to Molokai to visit ?"

From town we drove by the harbor and then came back to the cottage. We stopped at the Rooster Farm on the way back (across the street) and the same 10 vicious hounds heeded the same warning... keep on moving... !

Beach today was just a mile down the road at Murphy's Beach. The water was much clearer, lots of coral and little fish and Tony even got some pictures of a sea turtle. We both got a bit of sun burn today but not bad... a little color, that's all.

Tonight Joanne & Earl headed into to town for dinner and Tony & I stayed here and did laundry. We ordered pizza and they're picking it up on their way back from town.

Another early night for all of us - snorkeling and sun really zaps you - but well worth it !

For photos click on Photo Album, click on view more, then on the right, filter by location - USA then Kaunakakai and Murphy's Beach

Today we started off with Tony and me cooking breakfast, giving Joanne a break in the kitchen. We then headed to the local Doctor... my mosquito bites ... not so good... had to get something to stop me from scratching until I am a bloody mess (OK, TMI).... the local Doctor, takes walk-ins. I asked how much it would cost to get an appt w/him (he was answering the phones because his receptionist was out sick today) about my bites and to get some relief. He looked at me, thought a moment and said... $20.00. I said works for me ! He had 2 patients ahead of me so we took a seat to wait.

Wait was only about 10 minutes and we were called in. He took one look at my legs and arms and said... "Holy Shit... They ate you alive, didn't they !" He checked my blood pressure (110/70) and he said he'd give me Prednisone and Claritin and some Cortisone cream and came back with 4 pills to take immediately.

To settle up he said... no worries... I'll bill your insurance. Knowing that I haven't met my out of pocket deductible yet, I said I'd prefer to settle up with cash. So he said... "OK, how about $20.00 ?". I gave him a $50.00 and said thank you very much !

Glad to say, the Prednisone finally kicked in tonight... 9hrs later but it has kicked in :-)

Joanne & Earl then took us to Purdy’s Macadamia Nut Farm where we learned all about the nuts (brought to the islands from Queensland, Australia. We were able to see the different stages of the nut, their drying process and how to open the nuts (no wonder they’re so darned expensive - Labor intensive !). Purchased some nuts, some Macadamia Nut Sea Salt (this is really good) and some Macadamia Nut infused oils for cooking to take back to the mainland with us.

We then headed to the Kalaupapa Lookout that overlooks Father Damien's Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) Refuge. It is quite a beautiful view and quite amazing that back in the day, people with this disease were banished to this remote island and tucked away on the far side of the island to be forgotten by family and friends because of their misfortune. Today there are only about 4-5 patients still living in the refuge - they are cured but, because this is the only home they have known, they chose to remain even after being cured.

We also visited a rather unique rock in this State Park that is quite the conversation piece... we'll let you be the judge :)

We had lunch at Kualapu'u Cookhouse and then headed to the Hale o Lono Harbor area to snorkel. We were the only ones around for what seemed like miles. Tony & Earl did snorkeling while Joanne and I simply bobbed in the ocean enjoying the sun and the scenery - water was a perfect temperature :-)

We then headed to the local market to pick up fresh Ahi and veggies and home to whip up dinner. Joanne is a wizard in the kitchen so we stayed out of her way and she made a magnificent dinner of Ahi (with home-made tartar sauce), grilled veggies, steamed rice and Hawaiian Sweet Bread.

We started our day with a feast compliments of Joanne. She whipped up fresh banana pancakes with coconut syrup, sweet potato hashbrowns and sausage (we sent the boys to the store for the sausage as meat is not a staple in Joanne's frig). We topped it off with mimosas.

We then finished our game of Chicken Foot before we headed out for a road adventure. We stopped first at the drug store for anti-itch bug medicine... Yes... I've done it again... eaten alive by mosquitos - I am covered with bites.... UGH ! After this brief stop we headed out to Waikolu Lookout in the center of the island of Molokai. Most of the trip was on an unpaved road and felt like we were riding a bucking bronco for 10 miles. We arrived at the lookout and were the only ones around to take in this beautiful site.

The lookout is located at 3,600 foot elevation and includes amagnificant panorama of Waikolu Valley from the cliffs of the upper gorge. Views of seacliffs, offshore islands and waterfalls with plunge pools can be viewed inbetween the tropical clouds coming through the valley. We had a beer, some grapes & string cheese and enjoyed our peaceful surroundings.

Back down the 10 mile bucking bronco road and headed to Dixie Maru beach. This little treasure is at the west end of the island at the end of a road. This isolated little cove was a perfect way to end our day. We swam and Tony, Joanne and Earl all went their separate ways and scouted the area. I sat and watched the surfers and stand up paddlers.

We then went to the Paddlers Inn for Mexican Night only to be told they were all our of Mexican food (we arrived @ 6pm)... so Mahi Mahi, ribs and a burger later, we headed home. We're now enjoying a bowl of Macadamia Nut icecream with coconut syrup and candied coconut crumbles and watching Dancing with the Stars (the boys aren't really thrilled with the TV choice... but...)

We had a leisurely morning and headed out for our hike in Halawa Valley around 9am. Steeped in history and legend, Halawa Valley is the site of the first Hawaiian settlement on Molokai. The Valley was first settled in the 7th Century by people from the Marquesas and remainded a thriving community until the area was struck by tsunamis in 1946 and 1957.

In ancient times, this amphitheater valley was extgensively cultivated with taro, the Hawaiian staple, which supplied most of the entire island. Today, descendants of those first settleres are restoring the ancient lo'i (taro patches) and area once again producing taro for the island.

The family that lead us on our hike, live in a Yurt, have 3 kids and run these hike tours and have a flower farm (www.molokaiflowers.com). We hiked 2 miles in to the first falls(Moaula Falls) over moss covered rocks which were very slippery, fallen trees and lots of kukui nuts (hard on the tootsies !). The family dog, Noni, navigated the challenging trail right along with us (she does it daily).

The falls were spectacular ! Tony and Earl ventured into the chilly waters after we had lunch while Joanne & I observed (we thought better of having to trek back in wet suits !).

The hike back part of the group (us included) headed up to another falls higher up and far more treacherous - boulders very slippery because of the moss, and we had to cross a creek. I slid down one of the rocks and called it quits, waiting for the rest of the group right where I fell. Other than my bruised ego and a few scratches, I'm none the worse for wear (also took a nose dive on the trial back to the flower farm...).

We came back to the flower farm and had fresh fruit smoothies from fruits just picked. Home grown bananas, pinapple, guava, lemons and limes.... Boy oh Boy were they good ! And then took a tour of the flower farm which was beautiful (Tony, Joanne & Earl...I stayed behind as my feet were killing me and I had leg cramps in both legs :-(

Headed home, sipped Mai Tais and Joanne whipped up a wonderful dinner of pesto pasta and a huge salad with Hawaiian Sweet bread and white wine. We topped off dinner with macadamia ice cream with coconut syrup and whipped cream and candied coconut crumbles.

Played 1/2 a game of Chicken Feet and now headed to bed... .we're all exhausted.

We checked in @ Portland International Airport about 8:30am and as we were standing at the kiosk checking in one of the Hawaiian Airlines employees approached us and gave us two fresh flower leis. We were the only ones in the checkin area as far as we could see that received leis... So, that was nice... !

Our flights were on time, Mai Tai and Blue Hawaii cocktails in Honolulu while waiting for our connecting flight and upon arrival in Molokai Joanne and Earl greeted us with beautiful purple orchid leis - a perfect welcome.

We arrived to their beachfront cottage about sunset which was beautiful (having problems posting photos so will work on that Sunday when we get back from our hike). The view is spectacular and the sound of the waves is lulling me into a very very very relaxed mood (or trance :))

Joanne had slaved over a hot stove all day and made homemade veggie chili so we had chili sizes for dinner - it was delicious !

We've got a big day planned for Sunday so will be heading to bed soon. Will work on photos tomorrow.

We checked in @ Portland International Airport about 8:30am and as we were standing at the kiosk checking in one of the Hawaiian Airlines employees approached us and gave us two fresh flower leis. We were the only ones in the checkin area as far as we could see that received leis... So, that was nice... !

Our flights were on time, Mai Tai and Blue Hawaii cocktails in Honolulu while waiting for our connecting flight and upon arrival in Molokai Joanne and Earl greeted us with beautiful purple orchid leis - a perfect welcome.

We arrived to their beachfront cottage about sunset which was beautiful (having problems posting photos so will work on that Sunday when we get back from our hike). The view is spectacular and the sound of the waves is lulling me into a very very very relaxed mood (or trance :))

Joanne had slaved over a hot stove all day and made homemade veggie chili so we had chili sizes for dinner - it was delicious !

We've got a big day planned for Sunday so will be heading to bed soon. Will work on photos tomorrow.

We depart for Honolulu @ 10:15am from Portland International airport. We will arrive in Honolulu around 12:15pm and don't catch our connecting flight to Molokai until 4:30pm. We'll have plenty of time to 'get into the island mood' and may have a mai tai or two to quench our thirst.

Joanne and Earl will pick us up at the airport at 5:00pm and off we go to the beach cottage. They have been in Molokai for 11 days now and have been enjoying the local culture. We're excited to have the opportunity to share the experience with our good friends (Joanne and I met in high school XX years ago (we went to different schools together but had a mutual friend that introduced us... she lived in Newport Beach, I lived in Whittier). We've shared a million laughs (and tears) over the years and this trip will be added to our memory bank.